HUNGARY MAINTAINS SUPPORT FOR U.S. CANDIDACY FOR

UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000306 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR IO/RHS GAYATRI PATEL, DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE, EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM HU SUBJECT: HUNGARY MAINTAINS SUPPORT FOR U.S. CANDIDACY FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL REF: A. SECSTATE 36629 ¶B. BUDAPEST 282 ¶1. (SBU) We delivered reftel diplomatic note and talking points (ref A) to Krisztina Kovacs, Desk Officer in the Department of International Organizations and Human Rights at the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ms. Kovacs reiterated the GOH's support for the U.S. candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) based on its recognition of the U.S.'s strong record in support of human rights and Hungary's desire for "like-minded" countries to exercise a positive influence within this body (ref B). ¶2. (SBU) The GOH hopes the U.S., given its influental status in the UN and other international fora, can help strike a balance within the HRC between various geographically-oriented voting blocs. Ms. Kovacs specifically requested U.S. support for the EU's position to preserve the present system of "single-country mandates," which enables the HRC to focus on human rights issues in countries such as Sudan and North Korea. According to Kovacs, regional groupings of African and Asian HRC members are pressing for a shift toward a more thematic approach that the EU perceives as less effective. The GOH hopes the U.S. can use its influence with the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries to block such a move. ¶3. (SBU) The GOH also supports U.S. membership for the productive role we can play in a review of the HRC's structure, which is scheduled to take place in 2011. Ms. Kovacs added that the GOH, which will take up its EU presidency in the first half of 2011, will also participate in the dialogue on the Council's structure. ¶4. (SBU) Ms. Kovacs reiterated that Hungary is also seeking a seat on the HRC and would appreciate U.S. support as it competes with Russia and Azerbaijan for two seats on the Council. Levine